How to take better notes
Every college student or professional knows the feeling: you walk out of class or a meeting, clutch your notebook or laptop, and realize you've captured a sea of words, but very little of it can actually be used. Mastering how to take better notes isn't just about writing more; it's about actively engaging with ideas, finding the right structure and making review easy.
Whether you're juggling a full course load, coordinating team projects, or prepping for a big presentation, the right note-taking approach can save you hours of frustration, boost your grades and keep your career on track.
You don't have to figure it all out on your own. From note-taking tips to time management tools, we've got your back.
Why good notes matter
Good notes are more than scribbles on a page or pixels on a screen, they:
- Boost retention: A study in the European Journal of Cognitive Psychology demonstrated that students who wrote summaries remembered roughly 30–35% more than those who reread text.
- Keep you engaged: Actively processing information prevents daydreaming and catches details you'd otherwise miss.
- Make your time more efficient: Organized notes let you prep for exams or client calls in minutes instead of hours.
Imagine spending two hours on a project proposal because your notes were scattered versus a quick 20-minute review of crisp, color-coded summaries highlighting every deadline and action item. That's the power of learning how to take better notes.
Strategies to take better notes
Before diving into specific note-taking methods, it is important to develop strong, consistent habits. These strategies help you take better notes more often, no matter your format, device or environment; they are the foundation of your note-taking success.
1. Preview and predict
Spend 3–5 minutes before class, a meeting, or a training session reviewing any available materials. These could be:
- Lecture slides
- Chapter headings
- Meeting agendas
- Assigned readings
Why it works: Previewing helps activate your prior knowledge. It gives you a "mental map" of what's coming up and you're not in the dark. By seeing the structure beforehand, you'll recognize key ideas when they come up.
Example: If the slide deck starts with "Photosynthesis> Chloroplasts > Light Reactions," you know to watch for these as main headings and subpoints in your notes.
Pro tip: Make a quick list of predicted questions before the session starts. For example: What triggers the light reaction? What's chlorophyll? Answer them as you go—it builds engagement and memory.
2. Shorthand and symbols
Note-taking is fast-paced. You don't have to write complete sentences or copy everything word-for-word. Instead, build a personal system of shorthand and visual cues.
Common examples:
- w/ = with
- b/c = because
- @ = at
- ★ = major point
- ? = needs clarification or follow-up
- ex. = example
- imp. = important
Why it works: Shortened writing helps you keep up and frees your mind to focus on understanding rather than transcription. Symbols also help your brain group and prioritize information visually.
Pro tip: Keep a key or legend at the front of your notebook or in your notes app so you can review your system and expand it as needed.
3. Section your page
Don't just put everything in one long block. Structuring your page helps you organize thoughts as they come in and makes it easier to review later.
You can divide your notes into zones like:
- Definitions – for new terms and concepts.
- Questions – for anything you didn't understand or want to follow up on.
- Action items – tasks, deadlines, or next steps.
- Examples – real-world applications or case studies.
Why it works: When everything has its place, your notes become more useful. You can scan them quickly, find what matters, and even use the same format across classes or meetings.
4. Active recall review
Within 24 hours of taking your notes, test your understanding by recalling the main ideas without looking. Then compare your recall to your actual notes and fill in what you missed.
How to do it:
- Close your notes.
- Grab a blank sheet or open a new doc.
- Write down the 5–10 key takeaways from memory.
- Reopen your notes and check for accuracy.
Why it works: This taps into the testing effect, a proven strategy in cognitive science. The act of remembering strengthens memory far more than passive rereading. Reviewing right away also catches mistakes or missing information while the material is still fresh.
Pro tip: Use this technique to self-check your knowledge before big meetings, presentations, or exams.
Note-taking methods
Choosing the right method is a game-changer when you want to take better notes more often. Here's a look at four proven approaches:
1. Outline method
Structure: Hierarchical bullet points with clear indent levels.
Best for: Linear lectures, slide decks and step-by-step processes.
How to use:
- Start with a title and date.
- Use Roman numerals (I., II.) for major topics.
- Indent subtopics with letters (A., B.) and details with numbers (1., 2.).
- Keep indent levels to three deep—more becomes confusing.
Pros:
- Easy to scan when reviewing.
- Clearly shows relationships between ideas.
Cons:
- Can become rigid if the lecture or meeting jumps around.
- Not ideal for brainstorming or free-form discussions.
Pro tip: Leave space between main points for later additions and mark any question you have with "?" in the answer to follow up.
2. Cornell method
Layout: Three zones—Notes, Cues, and Summary.
Best for building testing review notes and capturing detailed lectures.
How to use:
- Notes Area (Right, ~70% width): Record ideas and details in class.
- Cue Column (Left, ~30% width): Post-class, write keywords, questions, or prompts that link to the detailed notes.
Summary (Bottom): Write a 2–3 sentence overview of the page's content:
- Built-in review system—cover the Notes area and quiz yourself using the cues.
- Summaries force you to distill concepts into your own words.
Cons:
- Takes an extra 5–10 minutes after class to process notes.
- Might feel cumbersome in fast-paced meetings.
Pro tip:
- Use the cues column to jot page numbers or slide references for easy cross-check.
- Color-code cues (e.g., blue for definitions, red for tasks, green for examples).
3. Mind mapping
Structure: Mind mapping is when there is a central idea with branching nodes that radiate out.
Best for creative brainstorming, essay planning, and linking interconnected topics.
How to use:
- Write the main topic in the center.
- Draw thick lines to subtopics; add further branches for details.
- Use colors or icons to group related branches visually.
Pros:
- Shows big-picture relationships and connections.
- Stimulates creativity—your brain sees patterns and gaps.
Cons:
- Can become messy with lots of sub-branches.
- Harder to convert into linear review notes.
Pro tip:
- Limit major branches to 5–7 so the map stays readable.
- Number the branches if you want to convert them into an outline later.
4. Charting method
Structure: A table divided into columns labeled by category.
Best for: Comparing data, tracking project timelines, or multi-factor analysis.
How to use:
- Draw your table with headers like Date, Topic, Key Point and Action Item.
- Fill rows in real time during class or meetings.
- Add a "Status" or "Done?" column to "track follow-through.
Benefits:
- Excellent for side-by-side comparisons (e.g., pros/cons, hypotheses/results).
- Action items are visible at a glance.
Drawbacks:
- Setting up a table takes time—use a template if possible.
- Not flexible for narrative or conceptual notes.
Pro tip:
- In digital apps (Notion, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets), freeze header rows so they stay visible.
- Color each row based on priority—red for urgent, yellow for medium, green for low.
No matter where you are in your academic journey, better note-taking can make a big difference. With the right strategies and tools, you’ll feel more confident, less overwhelmed and better prepared for what’s ahead.